How Kris Aquino's Go-To Makeup Artist Approached Her Comeback Look

It was in 2010 when Kris first sat in RB’s makeup chair. Looking back now, she still finds it “surreal” to think about how it all began, especially with Kris being one of her biggest dream clients back then—one who felt “almost out of reach.”

“I remember watching Oprah talk about creating the highest and grandest vision for your life, and believing that what you envision, you can eventually create through intention and action. So while I was watching, I remember thinking, ‘I want to be Kris Aquino’s makeup artist.’”

That same week, believe it or not, the media personality’s executive assistant gave RB a call regarding a makeup trial.

Throughout the years, Kris experienced several autoimmune conditions and underwent medical treatments that prompted her to officially step away from the spotlight in 2022 for an indefinite period. In 2025, Kris made her first public appearance since becoming seriously ill, and RB was there to do her makeup. Fun fact: She also gets Kris’ son, Bimby Aquino, TV-ready!

Like clockwork, RB was also there for Kris’ recent on-screen return.

According to RB, the timing felt “especially meaningful,” as the project was first presented around the birthday of Josh Aquino, Kris’ eldest son. “There was something incredibly lucky about having such an important opportunity come into the picture on her son’s birthday.” Conversations, discussions, and confirmations followed, and prayers were gradually being answered.

“There were definitely mixed emotions,” RB recalls. “We were all a little nervous about Kris taking on her first major project in four years, especially after such a challenging period with her health. But more than anything, there was excitement. We were all so happy that she was going to take on something this big again.”

For Kris’ return, RB kept her beauty still unmistakably her. After more than a decade of working together, the makeup artist knows the features and details that make Kris feel most like herself.

“She simply showed up as Kris, exactly as she is now, and reminded everyone that your light doesn’t disappear just because life asks you to step away for a while,” says RB.

Crafting a look for this milestone in Kris’ life did not come easy for RB. She tells Preview, “I actually had sleepless nights before the shoot because I wanted to get the balance right: something familiar enough that she would still feel completely herself, but elevated enough to feel fresh and current.”

With that said, her artistic instincts led her to create a modern interpretation of Kris’ signature beauty. “I didn’t want to reinvent her,” says RB. “I wanted to refine what already makes her look like Kris, then introduce a few new techniques that would translate beautifully both in person and on film.”

“The philosophy behind the look was simple: preserve the identity, evolve the technique.”

The result was what RB considers “a new classic.” Kris’ glam was refined and luminous. It was incredibly skin-focused, adorned with only soft definition, with an understanding of texture and dimension.

“Kris has always been very particular about what works for her skin,” says RB, sharing that La Mer is what she has been “hiyang” to for years. After prepping Kris’ skin, RB applied a primer by Dior Beauty for a beautiful touch of luminosity.

According to RB, Kris’ natural skin is “genuinely that pristine” that applying foundation becomes “almost an exercise in restraint.” “I always say Kris makes my job very easy. There is no reason to pile on foundation when there is almost nothing that needs covering.” In fact, no concealer was used for the look. “She has zero dark circles under her eyes, so adding concealer would simply be unnecessary.”

Instead, RB applied the lightest veil of Dior Forever Skin Glow to even out Kris’ complexion, creating the uniformity needed for filming. She lightly dusted the base with the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, setting only where necessary. Whether you were looking at Kris through the screen or in person, you would still see the natural dimension of her complexion.

To bring warmth to Kris’ pinkish-ivory complexion, RB went in with the NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder, which also provides subtle sculpting to maintain her facial dimension under strong lighting. As for the “non-negotiable” blush, RB shares that Kris likes pink, “and she likes plenty of it.” She combined two shades of the Prada Beauty Touch Blush, specifically Dahlia and Tulip, layering them to create a seamless transition and that signature pink flush.

Kris’ brows were filled with the Tom Ford Brow Sculptor, using Blonde to shape and define them, then Taupe to refine the color and create a more natural, dimensional finish. Moving on to her eyes was “one of the more interesting parts of the glam,” says RB. “Just before her first frame, her allergies suddenly decided to make an appearance. Her eyes started watering, and my original eye makeup was disappearing right in front of me.” 

Having to rethink the formulas she used, RB switched to cream shadows. “They gave me the staying power I needed without sacrificing the softness of the look.” With that said, she used the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Smoky Quartz across the lids, blending it toward the crease and along the lower lash line. RB followed this with the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Bark for the crease and upper eyeliner. She capped off the look with soft, natural strip lashes by Velour. “Thankfully, they held beautifully despite the watery eyes.”

“Kris has always had a very personal relationship with her lip makeup,” reveals RB. “She actually applies her own lip liner, lipstick, and gloss, and I love that it has become part of her makeup ritual. For her, I think it’s almost the final signal that says, ‘Okay, I’m ready. Let’s work.’”

RB shares that Kris loves mixing lip products. For her first frame, she applied the MAC Lip Pencil in Talking Points and finished with the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil in Serenity. The Netflix campaign consists of several episodes, so Kris also had a lip change involving four different products along the way.

RB remains cautious of strong formulas given that Kris has sensitive skin. With this in mind, she used the MAC Fix+ rather than a traditional long-wear setting spray. “I wanted to keep her skin comfortable while maintaining the makeup’s seamless finish on film.”